Loiacono, who started eighth, was credited with his second win of the season after capturing his first top-score at the same track in June.

Joao Vergara, from Miami, Fla., took second place following a race-long battle with Zanella Racing’s Leonardo Escorpioni, from Windermere, Fla., who had won yesterday’s opening race of the PFC Grand Prix of Mid-Ohio doubleheader. The result enabled Escorpioni to extend his lead in the chase for the championship and a scholarship to graduate onto the next step of the USF Pro Championships ladder, USF2000, in 2026.

For the second consecutive day, 14-year-old Fisher started from the front of the field after snaring his third Continental Tire Pole Award of the season. The honor was assured during the lone qualifying session on Friday when Fisher set the best of each driver’s second-fastest laps, fractionally ahead of Escorpioni.

Unfortunately, two incidents on the opening lap led to the Pace Car being dispatched to keep the remainder of the field in check. DEForce Racing’s Thomas Nordquist, from Omaha, Neb., was the first casualty, tipped into a spin on the front straightaway moments after the green flag flew, while the second involved title contender Oliver Wheldon (VRD Racing), from St. Petersburg, Fla., who started third before suffering an identical fate at the end of the long, downhill back straightaway.

Fisher remained unflustered at the front, and when the green flag waved again with five laps in the books, the young Canadian put his head down and soon began to open up a margin over his pursuers.

Fisher increased his pace on every one of the subsequent laps until, with just three laps remaining and a lead of three seconds, he was able to throttle back and ease home toward the checkered flag. Unfortunately, his initial joy was later replaced by dejection.

Escorpioni held second at the restart, but only briefly before fellow Florida-based Brazilian Vergara glimpsed an opportunity and took it under braking for Turn Two. Loiacono also was in the mix, and while he lost a little ground to Vergara before finally finding a way past Escorpioni, he quickly made up that deficit.

Loiacono found a way past Vergara on Lap 14, but by then Fisher was long gone in the lead. And still pulling away.

Instead, all eyes were focused on the battle between Vergara and Escorpioni, who remained in close formation – but with their positions unchanged – until the checkered flag.

Exclusive Autosport’s Brenden Cooley, from Mokena, Ill., recorded his best finish to date in fourth ahead of Zanella Racing’s Diego Guiot, from The Woodlands, Texas, who just held off a charging Vilho Aatola (DEForce Racing), from Turku, Finland.

The Tilton Hard Charger Award went to Michael Suco (InterMS), from Auburn, Ala., who finished ninth after starting back in 19th.

Jay Howard pocketed the PFC Award as the winning car owner.

Just a pair of tripleheader weekends remain to decide the championship. Next on the docket is a visit to the fast and challenging Road America venue in Elkhart Lake, Wis., on July 24-26, followed two weeks later by a trip to the West Coast for three more races at Portland International Raceway, in Portland, Ore., in support of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.

Provisional championship points after 10 of 16 races:

1. Leonardo Escorpioni, 241

2. Joao Vergara, 217

3. Liam Loiacono, 198

4. Oliver Wheldon, 198

5. Ty Fisher, 194

6. Vilho Aatola, 160

7 Rodrigo Gonzalez, 145

8. Diego Guiot, 119

9. Patricio Gonzalez, 101

10. Michael Suco, 101.

Liam Loiacono (#6 Heli America Inc.-Jay Howard Driver Development Tatuus JR-23): “It would have been nice to win it on the track. It was unfortunate for Ty. He drove unbelievably. It is a shame it ended this way for him, but you have to comply by the rules and play fair. So, unfortunately for him, that didn’t happen. It was great to inherit the win though, especially as it was a hard fought race and hard weekend for the whole team. I am just happy to finish first after a tough qualifying and bring some good points back. That’s great. Thanks to Heli Forklifts and Heli Cleveland. It is amazing to have this result with all of them out here to watch. I hope we can do it the next round as well.”

Joao Vergara (#10 Cross/Carecode/Son Boronat/Arai-VRD Racing Tatuus JR-23): “The race didn't go how we wished. We were really quick at the start and catching up to Ty, but then Liam got around me. I made a few mistakes in Turn Two and Turn Nine. We didn't have the pace to win, unfortunately, today. Some mistakes on my end didn't help as well, but we'll move on to Road America now, clear our heads and get the win there.”